French Quarter Fest day 2 off to promising start

I've got my bike, some sunscreen and a cup of cafe au lait. I'm sitting on Frenchmen Street, taking a minute on the periphery of the Quarter before jumping into a day of non-stop music at French Quarter Fest.

PHOTO BY TED JACKSONRevelers line the streets as the French Quarter Festival kicks off with a parade, Friday April 9, 2010. People are streaming toward the Quarter already -- on foot, with dogs, on bikes and even in a fleet of Segways. Non-automotive transportation definitely seems like the way to get here; parking on the edge of the Quarter already is packed.

But the weather is fantastic, and today's lineup is solid. I'm going to try to hit some of the smaller venues on Bourbon and Royal streets before heading to the main stages at Woldenberg Park. Usually, despite the festival's namesake, I end up staying on the river and rarely hear music in the Quarter proper.